The Slippery Rock University football is going to the postseason for the first time in 13 seasons.
Winston-Salem is coming off a season in which it was the national runner-up. The matchup will be a good one, but Winston-Salem is hoping that their quarterback will be able to go full strength after being injured in an altercation at the CIAA league banquet last Friday.
The Rams’ league championship game was cancelled in light of the situation.
Coming into the game, Slippery Rock is 7-1 in its last eight games, losing only to Bloomsburg. Winston-Salem has won its last nine games after losing on the opening week of the season.
Slippery Rock is led by quarterback Nigel Barksdale. The 5-10 quarterback has thrown for 3,669 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. He’s also ran for 427 yards and four touchdowns. He completed at least 30 passes to three different receivers and can spread the ball around almost at will. John Schademan caught 73 passes for 1,411 yards and 15 touchdowns to lead the team.
Defensively, The Rock recoreded 27 sacks and forced 15 interceptions this season.
For the Rams, the aforementioned quarterback, Rudy Johnson, led the way after coming in as the starter in Week 2. Johnson threw for 2,076 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also ran for 420 yards and six touchdowns. If he’s unable to go, A. Carrothers is the next one in line. He threw for 594 yards and eight scores on the year. Maurice Lewis led the way on the ground for Winston-Salem, tallying 791 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Rams recorded 35 sacks and forced 16 interceptions.
The winner of the contest will advance to play Shepherd on Nov. 30.
